A quick run down of tasks you need to focus on in the garden for late autumn (May in the Southern Hemisphere).
While the garden is slowing down, there’s still plenty to tackle in late autumn.
You’ll notice that many summer crops are well and truly spent at this time of year and you can now start your autumn clean up.
General gardening tasks for May
Remove tired annual vegetables and flowers
Remember: Cut the plant at the base, keeping the roots intact and making sure not to disturb the microbiology under the soil. These roots will continue to break down, providing nutrients to the soil.
Weeding
As annuals begin to die back it can give way to advantageous weeds. Now’s a good time to do a mass cull – and make sure to apply a layer of mulch in the form of wood chip, compost or pea straw to prevent more from popping up in gaps.
Cut back perennials
Perennial flowers will have done their dash (and hopefully you have been able to save some seed).
It’s a personal preference as to whether you like to cut back perennials at this time of year or not. Some perennials (like hydrangeas or salvia) should be left until spring, as the woody structure prevents these plants from harsh frosts that may cause damage throughout winter. And some perennials like Verbena bonariensis have beautiful seed heads that provide interest throughout the winter and a food source for foraging birds.
May gardening in the edible garden
Edible Planting
- Coriander, mizuna, silverbeet, rocket and pak choi don’t mind cooler temperatures, but if it gets particularly cold or wet where you live then plant these guys in sunny spots, containers or a greenhouse (if possible)
- Plant brassicas: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, kale and pak choi
- Winter greens: Cold-hardy lettuces, silverbeet, spinach
- Other goodies to plant now: Beetroot, carrots, broad beans, celery, leeks and onions
- Fruit to plant: Citrus, feijoas and strawberry plants.
Edible Harvesting
- For some it’s still harvest time for capsicum, chillies, squash and pumpkins
- Harvest apples, feijoas, tamarillos, passionfruit, quince and walnuts. It’s a great time for preserving some of these fruits for winter when fresh fruit isn’t so abundant.
- There’s plenty of rhubarb to use for baking and stewing for on your porridge on chilly mornings
- Pick nasturtium leaves for making pesto or in pastas and salads while their leaves are at their best before the cold weather gets to them
